US Immigration Mexican Border Crossings

United States

Emigration and Immigration

Mexican Border Crossing Records

Mexican Border Crossings immigration records from Mexico to the United States often include detailed family information. Numerous Mexicans came to Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas in the late 19th and early 20th century. Records of 20th century Mexican border crossings are available at the National Archives and Family History Library. An online index is available at United States Border Crossings from Mexico to United States - FamilySearch Historical Records.  Microfilm of these records is organized by the immigration border town where the crossing took place.

Crossing the Frontera is a free online class with search tips and techniques to help you with Mexican Border Crossing records.

Finding the Records

National Archives

Mexican border crossing records were filmed by the National Archives in 1957. All original records were destroyed when the filming was finished. A detailed description of the films is found on the NARA site. No images or indexes are online through the National Archives.

Ancestry.com

Index with images is found on Ancestry.com. To access Border Crossings: From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964

FamilySearch

• United States, Border Crossings from Mexico to United States, 1903-1957 Record Collection 1803932 Index only. This collection is incomplete.

Arizona

• Arizonia, Arrival Manifests, 1906-1955 IncludesNARA Publications A3372, A3377, M1504, M1759, M1760, M1769, and M1850.
• Texas and Arizona Arrivals, 1903-1910. Includes A3365

Texas

• Texas, Indexes and Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Del Rio, 1906-1953. A3395
• Texas, Eagle Pass Arrival Manifests and Indexes, 1905-1954. M2040
• Texas, Manifests of Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at El Paso, ca. July 1924-1954. M1757
• Texas, El Paso, Applications for Non-Resident Aliens Border Crossing Identification Cards, 1945-1952. M1756
• Texas, El Paso Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of El Paso, 1905-1927. A3406
• Texas, El Paso Alien Arrivals, 1909-1924. A3412
• Texas, El Paso Alien Arrivals, 1924-1952. A3396
• Texas, Manifests of Permanent and Statistical Alien Arrivals at El Paso, 1924-1954. A3455
• Texas, Laredo Arrival Manifests, 1903-1955. A3437
• Texas, Laredo Index of Arrivals, 1903-1929. A3379
• United States, Texas, Laredo, Index to Manifests of Permanent and Statistical Alien Arrivals, Dec 1929-Apr 1955. A3393
• Texas, San Antonio, Alien Arrivals, May 1944-March 1952. M1973

About the Records

You may access the Mexican Border Crossings by viewing the microfilm at the Family History Library or some family history centers. Or check the National Archives catalog to see if the National Archives facility nearest you holds a copy of the correct film. The National Archive film numbers are listed before the collections in the tables below. Access the National Archives catalog through the link then:

• Find the correct microfilm number in the tables below.
• Open the link to NARA's catalog. 
• Put the microfilm number in microfilm search box.
• Hit the search button.
• Click on the blue title when it appears.
• Facilities which hold the film are listed on the right side of the page.
• View important publication details by clicking on the PDF document on the right-hand side of the page.

Mexico Border Stations

Arizona

Arizona
NARA Number	Title	FamilySearch Catalog Film	Ancestry
A3365	Lists of Aliens Arriving at Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Laredo, Presidio, Rio Grande City and Roma, Texas, May 1903 - June 1909, and at Aros Ranch, Douglas, Lochiel, Naco and Nogales, Arizona, July 1906 - December 1910	2342416	NO
A3372	Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Naco, Arizona, May 24, 1908 - ca. December 1952	1343190	YES
A3377	Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Ajo, Lukeville, and Sonoyta (Sonoita), Arizona, January 1919 - December 1952, and at Los Ebanos, Texas, December 1950 - May 1955, NARA microfilm publication	NO	YES
M1504	Manifests of Alien Arrivals at San Luis, Arizona, July 24, 1929 - December 1952	1343023	YES
M1759	Nonstatistical Manifests and Statistical Index Cards of Aliens Arriving at Douglas, Arizona, July 1908 - December 1952	2241245	YES
M1760	Manifests of Permanent and Temporary Alien Arrivals at Douglas, Arizona, September 10, 1906 - October 10, 1955	2241352	YES
M1769	Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Nogales, Arizona, July 5, 1905 - 1952	1343023	YES
M1850	Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Sasabe/San Fernando, Arizona, 1919 - 1952	2241236	YES

California

California
NARA Number	Title	FamilySearch Catalog Film	Ancestry
A3467	Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Calexico, California, March 1907-December 1952	NO	YES
M1767	Manifests of Alien Arrivals at San Ysidro (Tia Juana), California, April 21, 1908 - December 1952,	2242997	YES
M2030	Statistical and Nonstatistical Manifests and Related Indexes of Aliens Arriving at Andrade and Campo (Tecate), California, 1910 - 1952	2138429	YES

New Mexico

New Mexico
NARA Number	Title	FamilySearch Catalog Film	Ancestry
A3370	Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Columbus, New Mexico, 1917 - 1954	1343185	YES

• See also Texas: El Paso, Fabens, Fort Hancock, Ysleta

Texas

Texas
NARA Number	Title	FamilySearch Catalog Film	Ancestry
A3365	Lists of Aliens Arriving at Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Laredo, Presidio, Rio Grande City and Roma, Texas, May 1903 - June 1909, and at Aros Ranch, Douglas, Lochiel, Naco and Nogales, Arizona, July 1906 - December 1910	1343023	NO
A3379	Nonstatistical Manifests and Statistical Index Cards of Aliens Arriving at Laredo, Texas, May 1903 - November 1929	1343208	YES
A3393	Index to Manifests of Permanent and Statistical Alien Arrivals at Laredo, Texas, December 1929 - April 1955	NO	YES
A3395	Indexes and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Del Rio, Texas, June 1906-July 1953	NO	YES
A3396	Index to Manifests of Permanent and Statistical Alien Arrivals at El Paso, Texas, July 1924 - July 1952,	2241245	YES
A3406	Nonstatistical Manifests and Statistical Index Cards of Aliens Arriving at El Paso, Texas, 1905 - 1927	NO	YES
A3412	Manifests of Statistical Alien Arrivals at El Paso, Texas, May 1909 - October 1924	2428366	YES
A3431	Nonstatistical Manifests of Temporary Alien Arrivals at Laredo, Texas, July 1908 - February 1912	NO	YES
A3437	Manifests of Statistical and Some Nonstatistical Alien Arrivals at Laredo, Texas, May 1903 - April 1955	NO	YES
A3455	Permanent and Statistical Manifests of Alien Arrivals at El Paso, Texas, Arpil 1924-September 1954	100833670	NO
A3466	Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Presidio, Texas, 1895 - 1955	NO	YES
M1502	Statistical and Nonstatistical Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Brownsville, Texas, and Related Indexes, February 1905 - June 1953	1283921	YES
M1503	Indexes and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Roma, Texas, March 1928 - May 30, 1955	1283858	YES
M1754	Nonstatistical Manifests and Statistical Index Cards of Aliens Arriving at Eagle Pass, Texas, June 1905 - November 1929	1283865	YES
M1755	Permanent and Statistical Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Eagle Pass, Texas, June 1905 - June 1953	2138434	YES
M1756	Applications for Nonresident Alien's Border Crossing Identification Cards Made at El Paso, Texas, ca. July 1945 - December 1952	1343099	YES
M1757	IManifests of Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at El Paso, Texas, July 1924 - 1954	1283895	YES
M1766	Alphabetical Card Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Fort Hancock, Texas, 1924 - 1954	2241229	YES
M1768	Nonstatistical Manifests and Statistical Index Cards of Aliens Arriving at El Paso, Texas, 1905 - 1927	2241222	YES
M1770	Indexes and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Rio Grande City, Texas, November 16, 1908 - May 30, 1955	NO	YES
M1771	Alphabetical Manifests of Non-Mexican Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at Laredo, Texas, December 1, 1929 - April 8, 1955	NO	YES
M1772	Manifests of Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at Laredo, Texas, December 1, 1929 - April 8, 1955	2241365	YES
M1774	Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels (March 1931 - March 1957) and Airplanes (December 1954 - March 1957) Arriving at Brownsville, Texas	NO	YES
M1849	Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Yseleta, Texas, July 1924 - 1954	2138421	YES
M1851	Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Progreso/Thayer, Texas, October 6, 1928 - May 27, 1955	1343180	YES
M1973	Statistical Manifests of Alien Arrivals By Airplane at San Antonio, Texas, May 17, 1944 - March 1952	NO	YES
M2008	Lists of Aliens Arriving at Laredo, Texas, from July 1903 to June 1907, via the Mexican National Railroad or the Laredo Foot Bridge	2394635	YES
M2024	Indexes and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Zapata, Texas, August 18, 1923 - September 15, 1953	2138450	YES
M2040	Index to Manifests of Permanent and Statistical Arrivals at Eagle Pass, Texas, December 1, 1929-June 1953	2138434	NO
M2041	Temporary and Nonstatistical Manifests of Aliens Arriving at Eagle Pass, Texas, July 1928 - June 1953	2138436	YES

Table created 2 May 2013

Card Manifest Descriptions

Card manifests were collected for each person crossing the border. These forms were patterned after the ship manifest cards used at other ports.  Different types of card manifests were implemented for various purposes.  The most common forms are described below. When viewing these cards it is important to check the reverse side of the card.  The "back side" of the card many include instructions about the card, lists of multiple entries into the U.S. for the individual, or an attached photograph.

Statistical reports were for immigrants or non-immigrants from outside the Western Hemisphere.

Non-statistical reports were for immigrants or non-immigrants who were natives of Western Hemisphere nations.

U.S. Immigration Mexican Border Crossing Card Manifests
Form Number	Description
Form 548 Form 548-B Form I-448 Manifest Most Common Manifest	Generally includes: Marital Status Place of Birth Physical Description Occupation Ability read or write, and in what language Last permanent residence Destination Purpose for entering the U.S. Intent to become a U.S. citizen Head tax status Previous citizenships
Form 502 (unnamed) Form 1502 (unnamed)	Printed and intended as a card index to ship passenger arrivals. The form listed: Steamer line (steamship line) Group number (page number for ship manifest) List (line number on ship manifest) Adapted for use with land border arrivals with Immigrant's name, age, sex Steamer=name of railroad Line=destination, date and port of arrival Group=manifest number ( not significant information) List=changed to Serial Number The serial number and date of arrival may be used to find the corresponding sheet manifest.
Form 621 Statistical	Generally includes: Marital Status Occupation Ability read or write Last place of residence Future place of residence Place of Birth Physical Description Who paid the immigrant's passage The amount of money the immigrant brought Names of persons accompanying the immigrant
Form 622 Statistical	Generally includes: Marital Status Occupation Ability read or write Last place of residence Future place of residence Place of Birth Physical Description Who paid the immigrant's passage The amount of money the immigrant brought Names of persons accompanying the immigrant
Form 629 NonStatistical	Generally includes: Name, Age, Sex Marital Status Race Occupation Ability read or write Last place of residence Destination Port and date of admission Amount of money carrying May contain all available entry information
Form 629A Untitled, May show no number	Generally includes: Name, Age, Sex Nationality Race Physical description Destination Port and date Reason for being disbarred from the United States This cause is often LPC, or likely to become a public charge, or no visa.
Form 657 Record of Registry Occasional used non-printed forms, typewritten versions with no form number	Generally includes:  Alien's Date of Arrival Name, Age Occupation Place of last residence before entry Means of arrival in the U.S. (such as ship or railway) Alien's Date of Registry Name, Age Occupation Physical description Place of residence Place of birth Photograph Date of approval of registry Certificate of registry District file number Bureau file number The record of registry was a record of lawful arrival made for certain aliens who lawfully entered the U.S. at an earlier time, but for whom the INS could find no record of arrival. The law enacted in 1929 and amended in 1939, particularly addressed aliens who entered before 1924 and who had resided in the country continuously since that date. In addition the alien was to be of good moral character and not subject to deportation. The alien could make an application, pay the fee, and receive a record of registry. "Lawful Entry" was the reauthorized of this program by the Nationality Act of 1940.
Form Spl. 125 Alien Laborer's Identification Card	Generally includes:  Date  Port which issued the card  Name, Age  Marital Status  Height  Physical marks  Last residence  Ability read or write  Photograph  Destination  Employer's name  This statement: "The bearer, a native and citizen of Mexico, has this day been granted the privilege of temporarily entering the United States in accordance with and under the conditions of Department [of Labor] circular of June 12, 1918, as amended."
Form Spl. 225 Departure	Generally includes: Marital Status Height Occupation Ability read or write Country of permanent residence Previous country of residence before coming to the U.S. Town and state of last residence in the U.S. Date and port of departure If native-born U.S. citizen, U.S. birthplace' If naturalized U.S. citizen, date and place of naturalization
Form Spl. 259 Statstical Index card	Generally includes: Name, Age, Sex Citizenship or nationality Last place of residence Destination Port and date of admission Status as a non-immigrant or immigrant Note: there may be a number written to the right of the of the person's name or gender. This is usually the official manifest number. Use this number with the date of the arrival to locate the statisical maifest. This information may be on a blank index card instead of an official Form Sp. 259
Form Spl. 442 Nonstatstical	Generally includes:  Marital Status Occupation Ability read or write Place of last permanent residence Destination Persons accompanying the alien Amount of money alien was carrying Whether this if the alien's first entrance into the U.S. The reverse of the card may show dates of of subsequent admissions into the U.S., destination and purpose for visiting.
Form I-94 Record of Alien Admitted for Temporary Stay	Generally includes:  Home address Place of birth Marital status Occupation Physical description Name and address of nearest relative at home Date of previous  Whether this if the alien's first entrance into the U.S. The reverse of the card may show dates of of subsequent admissions into the U.S., destination and purpose for visiting.

About this collection

A wiki article describing Mexican Border Crossing Records is found at:

Border Crossing from Mexico to the United States - FamilySearch Historical Records